The Hasluck-Cleland Driving Force in Papua-New Guinea

WITH increasing tempo, Australia’s new Minister for Territories, Mr. Paul Hasluck, is promoting the establishment of new industries in Papua-New Guinea. He is being ably supported by Assistant- Administrator D. M. Cleland. Here is a brief recapitulation: Expansion and stimulation of cocoa production are being undertaken.

Borneo interests are being encouraged to establish in Papua a cutch industry, based on the coastal mangrove bark.

As hydro-electric power is developed, the establishment of an aluminium industry is planned.

Administration has offered to cooperate with private interests in the production of commercial fibres—especially kenaf.

Stimulation of big-scale rice-production is planned, and a report now is awaited from an expert who has

just examined the Territory, Canberra report dated February 22 offers facilities for the expansion of the well-established rubber-growing industry.

Canberra report dated February 25 describes the possibilities of grow ing tea, and what the Government will do to assist private enterprise, A new timber industry already is in process of establishment, by both State and private enterprise, The Government now has set up a Planning and Development Corn mittee, to give shape and direction and priorities to these various en terprises.

All this is very impressive—until it is remembered that the first con sideration is land. Because of the paralysing effects of the Ward- Murray policy, little was done be tween 1945 and 1952 to make land available for these things. Little that is practical can be done until the

land is ear-marked and available for selection.

Make the land available, and a thousand men of good pioneer type will be available tomorrow for settlement in Papua-New Guinea.